“The Bible teaches that we are to care for the weak and
defenseless, to be keepers at home, and to and to provide for the needs of
our families. I believe this legislation is necessary to keep the
citizens of Kentucky from being forced to choose between civic duty and
family responsibility. Iheartily endorse family friendly jury
duty.”Correspondence to Kathye Schattner, February
18, 2006

Rabbi H.D. Uriel SmithBSc Physics
at University College, London, UK
Ordained Rabbi at HUC, Cincinnati
Served as Conservative Rabbi at various congregations throughout the USA
Now working for Environmental protection, Commonwealth of Kentucky
Member of Society of Biblical Literature, American Academy of Religion,
American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In support of Family Friendly Jury Duty legislation, Rabbi H.D. Uriel Smith
of Lexington, Kentucky refers to Deuteronomy, Chapter 25 v. 17 & 18 from the
Hebrew Bible:
“Remember what Amelek did to you, on the way, when you were leaving Egypt,
that he happened upon you on the way, and he struck those of you who were
hindmost, all the weaklings at your rear, when you were faint and exhausted,
and he did not fear God.”The Stone Edition Tanach,
First Edition, December 1996

The
Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt. The
Amalekites perpetrated a cowardly and unprovoked attack, as they did not
engage in battle from the front lines, but rather attacked the rear where
the sick, feeble, and weak amongst them were situated. The actions of the
Amalekites showed that they were a people devoid of pity and fundamental
humanity by attacking those who were unable to defend themselves.

Here, the
Israelites were unable
to protect the defenseless, since they didn’t have time to
form a protective guard during their hurried escape from Egypt. It just
couldn’t be helped.

However,
it’s a different situation altogether when family care givers (the
protectors) are forced
to serve on jury duty without regard to the needs of their vulnerable family
dependants. It’s as if court officials are acting like allies of
Amelek by
deliberately leaving
the weak (the dependants) defenseless and exposed to harm.